You may notice that many people wear red on Pentecost and wonder, why do we wear red on Pentecost? The use of the color red in the church during Pentecost is commonly attributed to its association with the flames of the Holy Spirit, which descended upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ as tongues of fire. According to the Bible, in the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 1-4, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Red, as the color of fire and blood, is a natural choice to represent this element. The imagery of flames and fire is often associated with the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography. And red serves as a powerful visual reminder of the transformative power of faith.

The red and gold Fairford Brocade reminds us of fire as it reflects a bright burnished and vibrant color!

Additionally, some cultures link the use of red at Pentecost to the harvest season. This feast traditionally marks the end of the spring grain harvest and the beginning of the summer fruit harvest. In this context, red may represent the abundance and richness of the harvest, as well as the joy and celebration that comes with the season.

Overall, the use of red at Pentecost is a symbolic representation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Christ. And serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the abundant blessings that come with it.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pentecost Stoles Part 2